Safety dispensing closures

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed pertains to what may be termed &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;safety dispensing closures,&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; these closures are more difficult to open than known dispensing closures. Such dispensing closures have a closure body and a spout rotatably mounted on the body so as to be capable of being rotated between open and closed positions. In accordance with the invention disclosed a moveable latch means is used with such a known closure so as to extend between the body and the spout when the spout is in a closed position so as to lock or hold the spout in this position. The latch means employed is capable of being moved so as to permit the spout to be rotated to an open position.

United States Patent Hazard [4 1 A r. 11 1972 [54] SAFETY DISPENSING CLOSURES 3,477,618 11/1969 Hazard ..222/534 [72] Inventor: Robert E. Hazard North Kingstown RL 3,398,847 8/1968 Towns ..2l5/9 [73] Assignee: Polytop Corporation, Slatersville, R.l. Prim ry E ne -R0 6 t B- Reeves Assistant ExaminerNorman L. Stack, Jr. [22] Flled: 1970 Attorney-Edward D. OBrian 21 A LN 27 328 1 PP 1 57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S.Cl ..222/530 The invention disclosed pertains what may be termed {51] Int. Cl i I i I "367d 3/00 safety dispensing closures, these closures are more difficult [58] Field 61 Search ..222/531-536 153 P than known dispensing closures. Such dispensing C10- 222/53O 534. 6 292/202. 16/137 sures have a closure body and a spout rotatably mounted on 5 the body so as to be capable of being rotated between open and closed positions. In accordance with the invention disclosed a moveable latch means is used with such a known clo- [56] References Clted sure so as to extend between the body and the spout when the UNITED STATES PATENTS spout is in a closed position so as to lock or hold the spout in this p0s1tion. The latch means employed is capable of bemg i 395g? g moved so as to permit the spout to be rotated to an open posi- 1 mg 3,251,509 5/1966 Foster ..222/153 3,490,659 l/ 1970 Lavange et al ..222/534 8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures I 1 1 1 I we 1 l Patented April 11, 1972 3,655,103

2 Sheets-Sheet l m/ l/EA/ 70R 46 ROBERT 5. HA 2120 Eon/A20 OER/Au L34 A 77'0EA/5 y Patented April 11, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 [52 /62 FIG- 6.

M 20 A me Q My ,5 N 0 JE m T w R 6 w \2 W 1 I ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term dispensing closure is employed in this specification to indicate a closure having a closure body and a spout rotatably mounted on the closure body so as to be capable of being rotated between open and closed positions. In such an open position a passage within the spout is aligned with a hole or opening through the body so that a fluid may be exhausted through the closure while in such a closed position this passage is out of alignment with the hole so that the spout covers the hole.

Dispensing closures having a spout rotatably mounted on a body as discussed are disclosed in the Wilson et a]. US. Pat. No. 2,793,795, the Mart US. Pat. No. 2,828,895 and a number of other patents and publications. These closures are normally constructed so that they can be utilized as bottle caps on known containers. If desired dispensing closures of this type can be formed so that the body parts of such closures are formed integrally with specialized containers. Usually closures of this type are formed of polyethylene-a somewhat flexible, resilient material-so that the body parts and the spout of such closures can be snapped together. They may also be formed of other known polyolefins, such as polyproplyene having properties similar to the properties of polyethylene.

Onoccasion dispensing closures as indicated are utilized in packaging various corrosive or hazardous compositions. Although such closures can be effectively utilized in packaging such materials theiruse for this purpose may be somewhat hazardous because of the fact that they may be easily opened. As a result of this there is some danger that a child or a person of other than a normal mental capacity may open a known dispensing closure used to package a corrosive or hazardous material. If this should happen there is obviously danger or harm resulting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is to provide new and improved dispensing closures which can not be as easily opened as various known dispensing closures. Because of this these closures may be classified as safety dispensing closures" inasmuch as they are safer for use with corrosive and hazardous materials than known dispensing closures. It is not to be assumed from this that these safety closures of the invention cannot easily be opened. It is the intention of the invention to provide closures which can easily be opened by persons in possession of normal mature facilities, even if they may be relatively aged or infirm, but which are of such a character that they cannot be readily opened by young children or others incapable of more mature reasoning.

A further objective of this invention is to provide safety closures of the type described which may be easily manufactured and assembled at a cost which is not significantly greater than the cost of manufacturing and assembling known dispensing closures. Another objective of this invention is to provide safety dispensing closures which may easily and conveniently used over a prolonged period. An additional objective of this invention is to provide safety dispensing closures which have a flat upper surface so that containers using these closures may be readily stacked upon one another.

In accordance with this invention these objectives are achieved by providing on a known dispensing closure having a closure body and a spout rotatably mounted on the body so as to be capable of being rotated between open and closed positions, a latch means for holding the spout in a closed position with respect to the body. The latch means used in a closure of this invention is capable of being moved so as to permit the spout to be rotated from a closed position to an open position. Thus, with the closure of this invention two different itemsthe latch means and the spout-both must be manipulated to open the closure. This is to be contrasted with known dispensing closures which can be opened only by movement of the spout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is best more fully explained by referring to accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of one presently preferred embodiment of form of a safety dispensing closure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the latch means in the closure in FIG. 1 in a position to permit closure opening;

FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the latch means shown in the closure illustrated in the preceding figures;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another presently preferred form or embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7 through 11 are cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 illustrating various steps in opening the safety dispensing closure illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, these views being at a reduced scale from the scale of FIG. 6.

The safety dispensing closures illustrated in the drawing utilize one particular known variety of dispensing closures. It will be recognized that the basic principles or features of safety dispensing closures of the present invention can be embodied within other known types of dispensing closures through the use or exercise of routine engineering and/or design skill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 there is shown a safety dispensing closure 10 of the present invention which is constructed utilizing the method of construction and operation described in the aforenoted Wilson et al. US. Pat. No. 2,792,795. This closure 10 includes a closure body 12 formed as an integral unit out of polyethylene or a similar material as indicated so as to include a top 14 and a dependent skirt 16. This skirt 16 preferably includes an internal bead 18 so that the closure end can be snapped into place on an existing, known container neck in such a manner that it cannot be readily removed from such a neck. If desired other known means of attaching the skirt 16 can be employed or this skirt may be formed integrally with a container wall. A sealing ring 20 is preferably located on the under surface of the top 14 for engagement with the end of a container neck so as to form a sea] therewith.

The top 14 is formed so as to include a centrally located cavity 22 from which there leads a slot 24 terminating in a vertically extended wall 26. The cavity 22 is open to slopping entrances 28 to internal bearing openings 30. These entrances 28 are smaller at their bottoms then the openings 30. This construction is designed so that trunnions or shafts 32 on the cylindrical base 34 of a spout 36 may be assembled within the openings 30 by being pushed so as to snap from the entrances 28 into the bearing openings 30. When the spout 36 is assembled in this manner its base 34 is located within the cavity 22 so that an extension or spout part 38 on it extends from the base 34 as shown.

In a closed position of the spout 36 illustrated in FIGS 1 and 2 of the drawing the extension 38 fits closely within the slot 24 so that a lip 40 on it overlies the wall 26. If desired this wall 26 may include a small bead 42 designed to snap into a correspondingly shaped groove 44 in the extension 38 so as to tend to lock the spout 36 against inadvertent or undesired movement. From a closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the spout is capable of being rotated to an open position by temporary deformation of the wall 26 so as to pop or snap the bead 42 from the groove 44.

In the closed position of the spout 36 a passage 46 in the spout 36 is located so that its extremities are hidden from view by being opposite the wall 26 and the interior of the cavity 22. In this position of the spout 36 a sealing ring 48 which extends upwardly from the base of the cavity 22 engages the base 34 so as to form a seal therewith around a dispensing opening 50 in the top 14 leading through the closure body 12. This structure of the spout 36 is designed so that the spout 36 may be rotated from the closed position indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing to an open position in which its extends vertically as indicated in phantom as indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawing. In such an open position the passage 46 is in alignment with the opening 50 and the sealing ring 48 is in engagement with the base 34 so as to form a seal therewith.

In the safety dispensing closure 10 movement of the spout 36 from such a closed position to such an open position is normally prevented by means of a latch member or means 52. This latch member 52 is designed so as to fit within a flat recess 54 in the top 14 between a notch 56 on the base 34 of the spout 36 and a wall 58 of the recess 54. Preferably the latch member 52 is secured to the wall 58 by a small web 60 of the material used in the formation of the closure body 12 so that is is integral with this closure body 12.

When the closure 10 is constructed in this manner the web 60 is preferably thick enough so that it will act as a hinge, permitting the latch member 52 to be rotated between the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the web 60 is formed in this manner there isno danger of it getting lost and the closure 10 may be repeatedly used as a safety dispensing closure. However if desired the web 60 may be formed sufficiently thin so that the latch member 52 may be broken or torn away from the top 14 after or during the initial opening of the closure 10.

In opening this closure 10 preferably a small groove 62 in the latch member 52 is engaged by an implement such as the end of an eating utensil, a finger nail or the like and rotated upwardly from a position as shown in FIG. 2. As this occurs an end 64 of the latch member 52 will be snapped past an overhung wall or extremity 66 on the notch 56. When the latch member 52 has cleared the notch 56 the spout 36 may be easily rotated to an open position as indicated since the latch member 52 no longer blocks such rotation. When the spout 36 is returned to a closed position the latch member 52 may also be returned to a closed position and pressed in place so as to fit within the notch 56.

In order to increase the relative difficulty of opening the closure 10 it is possible to include on the sides 68 of the recess 54 small bumps 70 which coact with ridges 72 on the sides 74 of the latch member 52. This structure is designed so that the ridges 72 may be snapped past the bumps 70 by temporary deformation of the material in the closure body 12. Because of the action of these bumps 70 and the ridges 72, they may be considered as coacting detent means.

In FIGS. through 11 of the drawing, there is shown another safety dispensing closure 100 of the present invention. This closure 100 in many respects is nearly the same as the closure 10. For convenience and in the interest of brevity various parts of the closure 100 which are the same or substantially the same as various parts of the closure body are designated herein by the same numerals used in designating corresponding parts of the closure preceded by numeral 1. Thus, the closure body 112 of the closure 100 corresponds to the closure body 12 previously described, the top 114 corresponds to the top 14 previously described and so on. These parts of the closure 100 which are the same or substantially the same as the parts of the closure 10 are not separately described herein since a separate description of it is not considered necessary to an understanding of the closure 100.

In the closure 100 a latch member or latch means 152 is utilized which functions differently from the latch member 52 previously described. This latch member 152 fits within a recess 154 corresponding to the recess 54 previously indicated. However, it is carried by the base 134 of the spout 136 through the use of a small web 156 of a material. Preferably this web 156 is similar to the web 60 so as to be capable of acting as a hinge, permitting rotation of the latch member 152 with respect to the spout 136.

In order to achieve this hinge action the spout 136 should preferably be constructed of a material as previously indicated which is capable of bending so as to achieve a hinge action. A particularly suitable material for use in forming the spout 136 in order to achieve this action is polypropylene. If desired the web 156 can be formed sufficiently thin so that it will be easily broken furing the use of the closure 100. After a web 156 is formed in this manner has been broken the safety features of the closure in accordance with this invention are destroyed.

The latch member 152 includes a diagonally, downwardly extending projection 158 which is adapted to snap under an overhanging wall in the recess 154 in order to secure this latch member 152 in place so as to preclude rotation of the the spout 136 to an open position from a closed position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This latch member 152 extends a short distance beyond the perimeter of the tope 114 to the closure 100 so that it may be easily lifted to a position as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawing when the closure 100 is being opened. When the latch member is in the position as indicated in FIG. 7, the spout 136 may be rotated upwardly as indicated in FIG. 8. This will push the projection 158 past the wall 160 as shown. As the spout 136 is further rotated as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawing, this latch member 152 will automatically be rotated by contact with the top 114 to a position as indicated in FIG. 10. As the spout 136 is further rotated from a position as shown in FIG. 10 to a completely open position as indicated in FIG. 11 in effect the latch member 152 will be folded about the web 156 so as to extend vertically within the cavity 122 because of contact with the wall 162 of the recess 154.

When the spout 136 is rotated back to a closed position from the open position as indicated in FIG. 1], the latch member 152 will tend to be moved by gravity to a position approximately as indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawing. In this position the latch member 152 may be snapped into an initial locked configuration or position as indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawing by a moderate amount of pressure being applied to it. Such pressure will cause the projection 158 to be snapped past the wall 160.

Because of the manner in which the projection 158 and the wall 160 function relative to one another, they may be considered as a holding means for holding the latch member 152 in position between the closure body 112 and the spout 136 so as to prevent rotation on the spout 136 to an open position. Because the end 64 fits within the notch 56 in the closure 10 so as to achieve the same function, this structure in the closure 10 may also be considered as a holding means. If desired detent means such as the bumps 70 and the ridges 72 on the closure 10 may be utilized with the closure 100 so as to increase the difficulty of moving the latch member 152 so that this closure may be opened.

It is possible to incorporate an additional safety feature against undesired opening within the closure 100. Such a feature may be added to this closure by locating on the under surface of the latch member 152 adjacent to the projection 164 faces in the opposite direction from the projection 158. When the closure 100 is in a closed position this projection 164 will fit within the recess 154. It will not interfere with the rotation of the latch member 152 in the initial opening of the closure 100 as illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawing nor the rotation of the spout 136 from a position as shown in FIG. 8 to a position as indicated in FIG. 9.

However, when the spout 136 is rotated from a position as shown in FIG. 9 to a position as shown in FIG. 10 this additional projection 162 will tend to hang-up on or engage a wall 166 at the end of the recess 154 located adjacent to the spout 136. This will occur because of the location of the web 156 acting as a hinge away from the axis of rotation of the spout 136. As a result of the web 156 being located in what may be regarded as an off center position as shown the projection 164 will engage the wall 166 as indicated when the rotation of the spout 36 is is continued to a point where the latch member 152 is moved somewhat downwardly.

When the projection 164 engages the wall 162 in this manner further rotation of the spout 136 is prevented until the latch member 152 is separately lifted or rotated so as to cause the projection 154 to clear the wall 166. After this is done the spout 136 can be fully rotated to an open position. Because of the function of the projection 164 it can be considered or classified as a secondary latch means for preventing rotation of the spout 136 to a fully open position after it has been partially rotated towards an open position.

From the preceding description it will be realized that closures and 100 described are constructed in such a manner that they are relatively difficult to open and that they are constructed in such a manner that they cannot be unintentionally opened. Because of this, these closures are safer to use with dispensing closures. This is considered important both from the safety standpoint and from the standpoint of opening up new market areas for the manufacturers of dispensing closures.

I claim:

1. in a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from a closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises:

latch means extending between said spout and said body when said spout is in said closed position for retaining said spout against rotation in said closed position;

said latch means being capable of being moved between said spout and said body so as to permit said spout to be rotated to said open position,

said latch means being located as to be manually accessible from the exterior of said closure,

said latch means being mounted on said closure so as to be incapable of being separated from said closure,

said latch means being incapable of being moved from said closed position by movement of said spout,

said closure body having a substantially flat top, said top having a recess located therein,

said latch means in said closed position fitting within said top so as to appear substantially as a continuation thereof.

2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

cooperating means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means,

said cooperating means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.

3. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

detent means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means relative to said closure body extending between said latch means and said closure body when said latch means extends between said spout and said body for retaining said spout against rotation.

4. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

hinge means connecting said latch means with said closure body, said hinge means permitting said latch means to be rotated with respect to said closure body,

said hinge means, said latch means and said closure body being integrally formed of the same material, said material being capable of being bent so as to achieve a hinge action.

5. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4 including:

cooperating holding means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means,

said holding means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.

6. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including:

hinge means connecting said latch means and said spout, said hinge means permitting rotation of said latch means with respect to said s out, said hinge means, said atch means and said spout being integrally formed of the same material, said material being capable of being bent so as to achieve a hinge action.

7. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 6 including:

cooperating holding means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means,

said holding means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.

8. A safety closure structure, said closure structure having a closure body adapted to be secured to a container, said closure structure also having a closure member rotatably mounted on said closure body, said closure member being capable of being moved between open and closed positions, said closure body having an opening extending there through, said opening being closed when said closure member is in said closed position and being open when said closure member is in said open position, in which the improvement comprises:

a latch means for direct engagement between said closure body and said closure member in order to prevent said closure member from being moved from said closed position to said open position,

said latch means directly engaging between said body and said member in order to prevent movement of said member when said member is in said closed position,

a portion of said latch means extending to the exterior of said closure structure, said portion being capable of being manually engaged so as to move said latch means to a position in which said closure member can be subsequently moved from said closed to said open position by a different movement than required to move said latch means,

snap action means for holding said latch means relative to said closure body and said closure member when said latch means extends between said closure body and said closure member, said snap action means serving to prevent accidental movement of said latch means when said latch means extends between said closure body and said closure member, said snap action means being capable of releasing said latch means when said latch means is moved to a position in which said closure member can be moved from said closed to said open position. 

1. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from a closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises: latch means extending between said spout and said body when said spout is in said closed position for retaining said spout against rotation in said closed position; said latch means being capable of being moved between said spout and said body so as to permit said spout to be rotated to said open position, said latch means being located as to be manually accessible from the exterior of said closure, said latch means being mounted on said closure so as to be incapable of being separated from said closure, said latch means beiNg incapable of being moved from said closed position by movement of said spout, said closure body having a substantially flat top, said top having a recess located therein, said latch means in said closed position fitting within said top so as to appear substantially as a continuation thereof.
 2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including: cooperating means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means, said cooperating means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.
 3. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including: detent means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means relative to said closure body extending between said latch means and said closure body when said latch means extends between said spout and said body for retaining said spout against rotation.
 4. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including: hinge means connecting said latch means with said closure body, said hinge means permitting said latch means to be rotated with respect to said closure body, said hinge means, said latch means and said closure body being integrally formed of the same material, said material being capable of being bent so as to achieve a hinge action.
 5. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4 including: cooperating holding means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means, said holding means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.
 6. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 including: hinge means connecting said latch means and said spout, said hinge means permitting rotation of said latch means with respect to said spout, said hinge means, said latch means and said spout being integrally formed of the same material, said material being capable of being bent so as to achieve a hinge action.
 7. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 6 including: cooperating holding means for preventing accidental movement of said latch means, said holding means being constructed so that said latch means may be snapped out of a position extending between said spout and said body to a position permitting rotation of said spout with respect to said body.
 8. A safety closure structure, said closure structure having a closure body adapted to be secured to a container, said closure structure also having a closure member rotatably mounted on said closure body, said closure member being capable of being moved between open and closed positions, said closure body having an opening extending there through, said opening being closed when said closure member is in said closed position and being open when said closure member is in said open position, in which the improvement comprises: a latch means for direct engagement between said closure body and said closure member in order to prevent said closure member from being moved from said closed position to said open position, said latch means directly engaging between said body and said member in order to prevent movement of said member when said member is in said closed position, a portion of said latch means extending to the exterior of said closure structure, said portion being capable of being manually engaged so as to move said latch means to a position in which said closure member can be subsequently moved from said closed to said open position by a different movement than required to move said latch means, snap action means for holding said latch means relative to said closure body and said closure member when said latch means extends between said closure body and said closure member, said snap action means serving to prevent accidental movement of said latch means wheN said latch means extends between said closure body and said closure member, said snap action means being capable of releasing said latch means when said latch means is moved to a position in which said closure member can be moved from said closed to said open position. 